Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has underscored the urgent need to reshape Ghana’s basic school curriculum to reflect not just academic priorities, but the moral, social and cultural values needed to build a responsible future generation.
Speaking during the inauguration of the governing boards of the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NASIA) and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) in Accra, the minister said the ministry has constituted a committee to work with the new NaCCA board on an upcoming review of the kindergarten and primary school curricula.
“I want to emphasize the importance of the standards-based curriculum for basic schools,” Mr. Iddrisu said. “This review must incorporate foundational learning, national culture, and the values of our heritage. There must also be a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and essential life skills.”
The minister noted that while the current curriculum has made progress in focusing on core subjects, the next phase must go deeper into shaping the full development of the child.
“Foundational learning is not just about reading and math,” he stressed. “The social and emotional well-being of learners is equally important. We must train children to become responsible citizens.”
He linked early values-based education to national efforts to combat corruption, arguing that integrity must be taught and nurtured from the earliest stages of learning.
“Every day in Ghana, we talk about corruption,” Mr. Iddrisu said. “The best way to combat this is to raise the next generation with a deep love for country and a strong sense of integrity. That can only happen if we start training them early.”
The curriculum review, he said, should reflect Ghana’s aspirations for a disciplined, patriotic, and well-rounded society.